Top 10 Best Pianists of All Time

The Top Ten

Franz Liszt

Franz Liszt (1811-1886) was a Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist, conductor, music teacher, arranger, organist, philanthropist, author, and a member of the Franciscan Order. He was a prominent figure of the Romantic era and is widely celebrated for his technical prowess and innovations in piano composition... read more

Yanni is a modern pianist. How can he even be compared to the classical greats? The technical brilliance and the incredible composing and improvising abilities of the virtuosic pianists of the classical and romantic era simply cannot be put against some 'nice-sounding' music. With all due respect to every other musician, Beethoven is the greatest composer ever, and Franz Liszt is the greatest pianist ever.

There are recordings of the last of Liszt's students, such as Arthur Friedheim, who specialized in Liszt's piano works. Frederic Lamond might give one an idea of what Liszt could teach, within the limitations of the pupil. I'm disappointed that this list's contributors have not noted great 20th-century classical pianists, nor mentioned the great technicians of this century.
Yanni

"Yanni Live at the Acropolis" was his finest hour as a pianist, no doubt about that. Despite playing among the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and some world-class band members, including a terrific Karen Briggs on violin, Yanni was, in my opinion, the best and most accomplished performer on the night. Here, he showcased all of his qualities as a pianist/keyboardist: musicality, sensitivity, technique, motor skills, attention to detail, virtuosity, passion, accompaniment skills, courage, humility, and the ability to connect with the audience.
Another great example of his abilities as a musician is the "In My Time" album. It's full of beautiful, deep piano solo pieces that will warm your heart and heal your soul. Yanni is without a doubt one of the best pianists of our time.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, baptized as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era, born in Salzburg. He composed more than 600 works, including symphonies, operas, chamber music, and choral pieces. His most famous compositions include... read more

Mozart mastered the piano at the age of 5 and could write piano pieces in one day without mistakes or rehearsals. Due to his natural talent, he should have been first on the list!

He is an amazing pianist who has gone through so much to be where he is now, and I worship him.

Mozart is the best pianist I've ever known! How could he not be Number 1? He is too good!
Elton John

Sir Elton Hercules John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, is an English singer, pianist, and composer. He has collaborated with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums. John has sold over 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.... read more

Elton John was accepted at the Royal Music Academy at 11 for playing a thirteen-sheet piece by Chopin that he had never seen before without any mistake, I believe. He kept playing pieces by heart that he had heard once. Is there anything left to be said?

Touches hearts with every key he plays. Tell me, who else can do that? He has gone down in history as a legend, an icon, and an idea of beauty with his songs. He taught the entire world a lesson about the real meaning of music and that the only way to touch people's lives is by playing from the heart.
Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential of all composers. His best-known compositions include nine symphonies, five piano concertos, one violin... read more

As Mozart predicted during his first/last meeting with him, Beethoven would be a great composer after him. He really came close to Mozart's ability with his piano skills but was quicker at improvisation than Mozart. If only Mozart had lived longer to witness the greatness of Beethoven or perhaps played a piece together, it would have sounded legendary.

Anybody that voted for Yanni is crazy. Yanni is ridiculously good at the piano, but Beethoven could write music without hearing it at one point. Also, Beethoven expressed his emotions through his music. He wrote some of the greatest music ever and deserves #1.
Billy Joel

William Martin Joel is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and pianist. Commonly nicknamed the "Piano Man," he began his music career in the 1960s and gained popularity with his breakthrough 1973 hit of the same name. He released numerous successful albums throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s... read more

Billy Joel created some of the most amazing rock piano music of all time. This was only due to his incredible skills with the piano, and his skill with songwriting and composing. He combined jazz and rock perfectly and created a unique genre of piano rock music that cannot be replicated by anyone else. He is now nearly 70 years old, and his singing voice is just as good as it was 40 years ago! Billy Joel is overall an extremely skilled pianist and musician.

I get that Mozart and all those classic piano players were musical geniuses and that they pioneered important piano styles. But let's face it, would you rather listen to some old 1700s piano stuff or some awesome Billy Joel songs? I think we all know the obvious answer. Billy Joel was a modern piano genius and created many piano songs we all know and love.
Frédéric Chopin

Frédéric François Chopin (March 1, 1810 - October 17, 1849), born Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin, was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era. He composed almost exclusively for solo piano and developed a distinctive and poetic musical style.... read more

In my opinion, Chopin should be at least in the top three. Has anyone listened to Fantaisie-Impromptu or Winter Wind? Chopin is a legend, along with Beethoven, Mozart, and Liszt. And the people who can play their music.

How are Paul McCartney and Freddie Mercury above him? Good pianists, but nothing like this legend.

Listening to one of his pieces feels like the moment just before you fall asleep.
Thelonious Monk

Thelonious Sphere Monk (October 10, 1917 - February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "'Round Midnight," "Blue Monk," "Straight, No Chaser," "Ruby, My Dear," "In Walked... read more

One of the most famous jazz musicians of all time. It is no coincidence that he plays piano either. He is great at it, and he also has great music writing skills. All around, he is a very good piano player.

Technically, no, but his originality trumps technicalities. John Coltrane said if you miss a change, it's like falling down an elevator shaft with Monk. His influence is gigantic in modern music.

His sense of time was very complex.
Liberace

Władziu Valentino Liberace, mononymously known as Liberace, was an American pianist, singer, and actor. He became one of the most popular and flamboyant entertainers of the 20th century, known for his virtuosic piano performances and extravagant costumes. Liberace had a long career in television, concerts... read more

Liberace had lots and lots of talent. Besides, who is still living who ever heard Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, etc., ever play to know how well they played? Their written music may have been good, but that just tells how well they composed music.

The one to listen to for any child dreaming of becoming great on the piano in the 1950s.

One of the most talented pianists and entertainers of all time. Liberace was a showman who enjoyed his work and was creative with his stage presence.
Vladimir Horowitz

Touch, dynamics, emotion, repertoire, range of composers with such different styles… and totally overcoming the slight handicap of being short of stature. It is almost a joke to put Yanni, Billy, and Elton in the same category list-wise. There should be at least two separate lists. We aren't talking about playing music you've composed yourself here. We are talking about playing the piano. I have huge respect for the others as musicians and performers, and all are very good at the piano, but they cannot begin to come close to Horowitz. Rubinstein maybe can. Rachmaninov maybe can. Serkin maybe can. But the others? I'm sorry. Get real.

The Newcomers

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Igor Stravinsky
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, born on May 7, 1840, was a Russian composer during the Romantic period. He was the first Russian composer whose music made a lasting impression internationally. His most famous works include the ballets Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker.

The Contenders

John Lennon

John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (born John Winston Lennon, 9 October 1940-8 December 1980), was an English singer, songwriter, musician, and political activist. He rose to worldwide fame as the co-founder, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the... read more
William Joseph

I was so fortunate to have seen William Joseph in concert. His music takes us on this great emotional journey, leaving us inspired and rejuvenated. He is a great pianist, composer, songwriter, and a wonderful person. He started composing at the age of five. Some of the fan favourites are Piano Fantasy, Within, and Sweet Remembrance of You. His latest collection of beloved hymns is a masterpiece. His rendition of Asturias is by far the best I've heard. If you haven't heard him yet, please do watch his videos on YouTube. He is legendary, and he will be remembered for generations to come.

William Joseph is an amazing piano player! He is passionate about it, and it shows! I love his albums! They are wonderful and bring my family and me so much happiness! Plus, he is an amazing man!
Duke Ellington

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and bandleader of a jazz orchestra, which he led from 1923 until his death. His career spanned over fifty years and had a major impact on the history of jazz. Ellington composed thousands of pieces and is regarded as one of the greatest... read more

How is Elton John voted higher than Ellington?
Oscar Peterson

From a musical and technical perspective (as the list is intended for), Oscar Peterson should without a doubt be more appreciated. No disrespect, but Yanni, Beethoven, Joel, Mozart, Lennon, etc., are great, but the list is not intended for the most popular nor best composers.

Definitely Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum. Obviously, a jazz fan. Für Elise, by the way, is a very simple piece of music. My 11-year-old niece plays it perfectly. Please don't comment if you are not a musician.

He and Tatum should have been in the top 10.
Sergei Rachmaninov

Rachmaninov's tonality and perfect clarity earn him the number one spot on this list (in my opinion). I think that Joel and John are talented, but really shouldn't be close to the top five. Yanni is talented, but again, he's nowhere near as talented as Rachmaninov.
Furthermore, Rachmaninov's command of theory and timing is impeccable. Additionally, as seen with his predecessor Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov's use of theme and the changes thereof within a piece is so masterful it seems as if he is strategically making the audience feel a specific way, just so he can make them feel different later on.

Top 10, no doubt. The sophistication in his compositions puts him right up there with Chopin for musical genius. The very young generation knows what it likes to hear: fun, touching music, and goes for mainstream. Those of us that have been around for a while know the difference between great entertainment (something that probably all pianists mentioned here can provide) and great music (that only a few have the true gift of composing and playing at the highest level).
Josef Lhévinne

Technically the best (even better than Rachmaninoff, dare I say), with beautiful musicianship. He won the Gold Medal at the Moscow Conservatory in 1892, besting fellow students Rachmaninoff and Scriabin.

Listen to the very few recordings he made. Then decide.
Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury was a Zanzibari‑born British singer of Indian descent, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Queen. He achieved fame for his flamboyant stage persona and remarkable four-octave vocal range.... read more

Freddie Mercury should be number 3. He was the best and still is. Legends never die!

He is underrated as a piano player, but pianists say that he was a virtuoso.
Claude-Achille Debussy

Claude Debussy was a French composer often regarded as a central figure in the transition to modern classical music. He is sometimes associated with Impressionism, although he rejected the label. Debussy's innovative use of harmony and texture influenced many 20th-century composers.
Blind Tom Wiggins
Nat King Cole

Nathaniel Adams Coles, known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American singer and jazz pianist. He first gained prominence in the 1940s as a member of the King Cole Trio. Later, he achieved success as a solo vocalist with hits like Unforgettable, Mona Lisa, and The Christmas Song.
Moriz Rosenthal
Ray Charles

Ray Charles Robinson, professionally known as Ray Charles, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and composer. He pioneered the genre of soul music during the 1950s by combining blues, jazz, and gospel styles. Charles won 17 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame... read more
Artur Rubinstein

The best interpreter of classical music who, even in his 80s, was performing better than more youthful pianists. Without a doubt, a top-ten all-time pianist. Certainly, much more deserving than the entertainers listed here. They do not belong on this list. They were not pianists!

This guy's an interpreting genius! He should be in the top 10, at least.
Jerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis (1935-2022) was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and pianist. He was famously nicknamed "The Killer" and was known for his dynamic stage presence and wild performances. Lewis was a pioneer of both rock and roll and rockabilly music.... read more

I heard him do "That's My Desire," one of my favorite songs of all time. He played it so well, and I wished he had done more of these ballads. He was an American treasure of a musician.

I think he is one of the best that ever did it in music history, and he is just so good you can't explain it.

I could listen to Jerry Lee Lewis for hours. Chopin, Yanni, and Elton John don't even come close.
Valentina Lisitsa

She always smiles when she plays, as though she is enjoying the music she is playing.